The PIB was founded in 1937 to assist farmers enter the pig industry. In 1952 a research farm was established in Arcturus. In 1988 a second farm was established in Bulawayo to cater for pig producers in the southern part of the country.
The core functions of PIB in the development and promotion of the pig industry in Zimbabwe are through genetic improvement, research, training and extension services. During the early years most of the research conducted by the PIB centred on the development of practical diets that pig farmers could use. The research assisted farmers to use the feeds available in Zimbabwe. The PIB conducted training on station and on-farm to assist in the development of the pig industry. The PIB also provided an extension service that was critical in assisting new farmers to establish themselves in the industry. Most of the development work of the PIB focused on breed development. The PIB established a litter test station where breeders brought their pigs for central testing. Pigs that met the selection criteria were certified by PIB. These pigs were multiplied on the breeder’s farms to produce breeding stock for sale to farmers. Over the years many breeders left the industry and only one pig breeder remains today.
